The month of March brings some exciting things for the MVCU community. Just as the spring season marks new growth in the environment around us, we will celebrate important milestones as our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union comes closer to fruition. All of the recent talk about merging makes me reflect on the rich history of mergers that has helped MVCU become the strong, community financial institution that it is today.
Celebrating an anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect, learn and look forward to the future. Whether it’s romantic or professional, one year or 30 years, pausing to appreciate important milestones helps connect us to the journey we have been on and the person we have become. This month, Deposit Operations Manager Wendi Fallon is celebrating 30 years working for Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU). When reflecting on her professional journey, it is the credit union’s community-focus and the special connections she has made with credit union members that have helped Wendi to thrive over the past three decades.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Methuen High School (MHS) teamed up for the fourth year to present the Credit for Life Fair to more than 300 graduating seniors on Friday, Feb. 17. “A solid financial foundation is so important for people, no matter how old or young,” said John J. Howard, president and CEO of MVCU. “As a community credit union, we seek out opportunities to provide financial education to community members. Working with Methuen High School on the Credit for Life Fair gives us the chance to talk to the students at a critical time in their lives: right before they’re about to start making significant financial decisions on their own.”
We’re already well into the second month of 2023, where does the time go? This February, I’ve found myself considering the things that I am passionate about, both inside and outside of the workplace. Of course, my family and my work are my most important priorities. But I also have an exciting passion that you may not know about: I love to travel. When I was young, my family rarely traveled—although this never stopped me from dreaming about the day that I could visit new and exciting places.
Life can take an unexpected turn at any time, sometimes turning joyful circumstances into frightening ones. Few people know this better than Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) member and Methuen native Bobby Cole and his family. In the fall of 2020, Cole and his wife, Tori, learned they were expecting their first child. The couple were thrilled, as were their families. Like most expectant parents, the Coles began to make space for the baby in their home and in their hearts. But in the early spring of 2021, when her pregnancy was 26 weeks along, Tori began to experience abdominal pain.
From budgeting to saving to investing to borrowing, keeping track of everything you need to be financially successful can be confusing in our ever-changing economy. Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) recognizes the challenges experienced by members and is excited to introduce LPL Financial and financial advisor, Chris Maynard. Chris has decades of experience in many sectors of the financial world, and a passion for helping others get the most out of their money.
Happy New Year! I’m excited to welcome you back to Member’s Edge. As we transition into 2023, there is so much to look forward to, including our proposed merger with RTN Federal Credit Union (pending member and regulatory approval). While merging with another credit union is an exciting endeavor, I understand that we all have concerns and questions when changes are proposed. So, I want to share a little bit about the history and benefits of merging credit unions.
What do you love about your local credit union branch? Is the atmosphere warm and inviting? Do you have a favorite teller that greets you each time you stop by? Is there convenient access to an ATM that accommodates your busy schedule? Whatever your reason may be, it takes a group of talented and hard-working teammates to make each branch a welcoming, community-focused environment. This is exactly what has been established at MVCU’s Haverhill branch led by Branch Manager Taveiry Brito. In this Behind-the-Scenes look at our Haverhill location, Taveiry gets candid about community, leadership and Haverhill’s unique interior design.
Many members have asked for an improved and seamless process for both receiving direct deposits and making electronic payments. We heard you! You are now able to set up payments from or direct deposits to any or all of your checking, savings, and/or club accounts. You get to decide where your money goes. To do that, we have added a unique ACH Account Number to most accounts. A small number of members may receive a letter from their merchant or employer verifying this new ACH Account Number. If you already have payments and deposits set up, you don’t have to do anything. To set up new payments or deposits, you will use your account’s new unique ACH Account Number.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announced the winner of the local “These Are My People” contest. Brittanie Ramirez of Lawrence, Mass. won $2,500 to help support human connection with her favorite people. “I was so surprised when I received the call that I won that I didn’t believe that it was true,” said Ramirez. “This money gives me the opportunity to give back to Beyond Soccer, an organization that I was part of growing up here in Lawrence and where I work now as a Coach Mentor.
Welcome back to Member’s Edge. Since the release of our last newsletter MVCU made a major announcement: RTN Federal Credit Union will be merging into Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), pending member and regulatory approval. As your President & CEO, I am thrilled by the opportunities that will open because of this merger. This endeavor is just another step towards our goal of making MVCU the greatest place anyone has ever worked and the greatest place anyone has ever banked.
What does it mean to "grow up" in our credit union? How does starting your career while taking college courses affect your learning? These questions are answered in the story of Zobeida Duarte, one of MVCU's many female leaders who has found both growth and success in her nine-plus years here at MVCU. (And she's just getting started!)
Christmas trees! Santa! Presents! Snow! And… Harry Potter? MVCU members, teammates, and community members alike celebrated the holiday season with TWO wonderful parties in our Lawrence and Bridgewater offices. Check out this recap of our awesome holiday events!
To support children in need and spread cheer this holiday season, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held a toy drive at each of its ten branch locations. Each branch collected new, unwrapped toys to be donated to various organizations throughout Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. To support as many children as possible throughout the credit union’s field of membership, MVCU donated toys to numerous organizations from Seabrook, NH, to Fairhaven.
On Monday, Dec. 5, Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU), established a new community partnership with the Plymouth Public Library Foundation (PPLF), making a $10,000 donation that will support the foundation’s public events through the end of 2023, including its golf tournament, arts & crafts festival and the annual Taste of the Town. The partnership will also include the development of a free financial literacy program that MVCU will launch in conjunction with the Plymouth Public Library next year.
LAWRENCE, MA — In celebration of the season of giving, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) is helping local families in need enjoy their Thanksgiving dinners with loved ones. This year, MVCU’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive collected goods to support the Merrimack Valley Food Bank (MVFB). Taking place in early November, MVCU members and employees generously donated boxed, canned and non-perishable goods including stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, peanut butter, hot cocoa and much more. The drive was held in MVCU’s Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, North Andover, Plaistow and Seabrook branch locations where, in total, MVCU collected a whopping 720 pounds of food for the MVFB.
I first want to welcome you to Member’s Edge, our expanded news section on mvcu.com. Here, you’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at your credit union and the teammates who make Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Bridgewater Credit Union (BCU) wonderful places to work and bank. At MVCU and BCU, we consider ourselves a part of OneTeam; a team made up of many branches, many team members, and many members. We work together to support each other, and we’re all aligned towards the common goal of making this the best place anyone has ever worked or banked.
As you step inside Bridgewater Credit Union, A Division of Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s new Plymouth Branch, you’ll notice some elements that feel familiar and others that feel rather new. You are still welcomed by the friendly tellers of Plymouth’s previous location and enjoy the same services that all our branches provide. But this new space offers even more: a modern design with bright natural lighting and unique ties to the local community. Let’s go Behind-the-Scenes at BCU’s new branch for the story behind its unique look, and the manager who leads its team.
On Thursday, Nov. 3, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) donated $30,000 to Emmaus, Inc., a homeless shelter in Haverhill, MA. This annual donation is a continuation of the support MVCU has provided the non-profit since 1994. MVCU is Emmaus' longest running and largest corporate partner, contributing over $500,000 to the non-profit over nearly three decades. Emmaus, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and affordable housing to families and individuals facing homelessness.
Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) hosted its annual Shred It Day on Saturday, September 10. During the event, which was held at MCVU’s North Andover and Plymouth branches, members of the credit union brought in old, unwanted documents to be shredded. MVCU Members travelled from throughout the Merrimack Valley, including Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill, to visit the Andover branch.
On Wednesday, June 22, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) awarded a total of $16,500 in scholarships to 15 high school students from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Nina Tiani was the inaugural recipient of the Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500, and the other 14 recipients received $1,000 scholarships. Nine students were able to attend the scholarship presentation in person with their families, while two attended via Zoom.
Lawrence, Mass. (March 30, 2022) – For the first time since 2019, more than 200 Methuen High School seniors participated in a “Credit for Life” fair on Friday, March 25. Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) partnered with Methuen High School to present this opportunity for students to take a hands-on approach to budgeting and managing their money.
Lawrence, Mass. (March 15, 2022) – In honor of American Heart Month, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) held a fundraiser throughout February to raise money for the American Heart Association. The MVCU branch team sold hearts for a minimum donation of $2.00 with MVCU employees also contributing, raising a total of $3,608.99.
LAWRENCE, MASS. — Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) revamped their account line up at the end of 2021 by adding two new rewards checking accounts: Kasasa Cash® and Kasasa Cash Back®. Rounding out the additions is the Kasasa Saver® account, a savings account that is paired with either of the Kasasa checking accounts. All of the new accounts are now available to new and existing members.